Former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reflected on how the club’s coach, Mikel Arteta failed to support him when he was battling with personal issues.
Recall that Aubameyang joined Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018 and had a remarkable impact on the team, netting 92 goals and providing 20 assists in 163 appearances.
However, his rapport with Arteta began to deteriorate midway through the 2021-2022 season, leading to the termination of his contract with the club.
In an interview with The Athletic, Aubameyang discussed a specific incident where he felt misunderstood. He acknowledged his mistake of arriving late for a flight, explaining that a family emergency had preoccupied him. “I should have come back the night before, but I arrived in the morning due to my mum’s medical examinations,” he explained.
During a following team meeting, Aubameyang recounted how Arteta expressed his disappointment. “He emphasized the importance of my leadership and how my actions could affect the team,” said Aubameyang. “While I understood his perspective, I felt hurt by the intensity of his response.”
Aubameyang noted that he expected support from Arteta, especially given the personal challenges he was facing at the time, and he wished for a more understanding approach. “I was going through a tough situation, and I hoped for empathy and assistance,” he added.